A good portion of our Smoky Mountain history today would likely be considerably different if it weren’t for the icon we know as Wiley Oakley. Wiley Oakley was a true Appalachian renaissance man who was a famous hiker, guide, storyteller, Smoky Mountain ambassador and even store owner and painter. His continued influence on the spirit of our area is as big as his list of noteworthy life accomplishments and items of interest – both of which are much too big to list here today!
Instead, we wanted to let the man himself speak to you as much has been and is said about him today, but the words coming from his actual mouth are comparatively obscure. Listen to these recordings:
And for a bonus, here’s a recently recorded podcast audio with some history on Wiley Oakley.
